Marva June Stanton

Marva June Prater was born June 16, 1945, the second daughter of Raymond and Irene Prater, sister to Raynita Kay. The family resided in rural Everton, Missouri, where they owned and farmed a 300-acre farm with its own “Sunset Strip.” They raised Hereford cattle, chickens and hay.

Marva attended a small school near their home until it burned to the ground, taking with it Marva’s new box of crayons. At that time, she and her sister, Kay, began attending school in the town of Everton.

On July 27, 1963, Marva married Alan Stanton. Their only child, Dena Kay Stanton, was born May 3, 1964.

Marva held various jobs in the earlier years of their marriage. She worked at a garment factory and Electro-Pac, where she drilled circuit boards for machinery, including some jet-plane applications. She preferred being on the farm, though, and when Alan’s job with Sears Roebuck was established, Marva stayed home, tending to the cattle.

She was very patient with her cattle and very particular about how they were handled. She kept many well-past their prime because she was attached to them and couldn’t bear to imagine them going to cow heaven.

When she did sell cattle, or if one died on the farm, it saddened her, and she felt guilty for not doing enough. She felt the same about dogs, cats, squirrels, rabbits, turtles, all of God’s creatures. She would get so mad if she accidentally ran over an animal or if her dog or cat caught one in the yard.

Marva and Alan owned several vehicles that they enjoyed over the years. They owned a 1957 Chevy, long before it was a classic. They bought a new 1967 Chevelle (and could tell you what it cost down to the penny), which they owned until about 1986 or ‘87. Alan built a 1923 T-Bucket, which they drove many miles. They also rode a 350cc Honda motorcycle on many weekend excursions. They kept their vehicles spotless.

In 1986, Dena married Mike Coale. They bought an old house and some land a mile from Marva and Alan, with Alan’s parents living in a home located between them. This allowed them all to work together on their farms and socialize together often. Many nights were spent playing Rook at the kitchen table. They even played by flashlight on cold winter nights when the electricity went out.

Justin Stanton Coale was born to Mike and Dena in August 1991. Marva and Alan thought he was the best thing to ever come along. Marva babysat Justin a lot and she and Justin became very close. She was his biggest fan as he grew up playing sports and any events he was involved with. They always had time together when he’d come home from college, and she’d usually slip him a little gas money.

Mike and Dena’s daughter, Shayla Denae Coale, was born in April 1995. Again, Marva and Alan were so happy to have another grandchild. Marva supported Shayla in all her school activities and horse shows. Marva, Dena and Shayla attended a few Marty Stuart shows together and they enjoyed shopping together or eating lunch at Zio’s or Olive Garden or Willy B’s.

Alan passed away in September of 1995. Mike helped Marva with the farm as much as she would allow, but she was a very independent lady and did much of the work herself. She did, however, love Mike like a son and trusted his opinion and advice - although she didn’t always follow it. (Remember those cattle she hated to sell?)

Marva’s family will always remember her for her giving, helpful nature, easy laughter, smile and her desire to support them in whatever they were doing. “We’ll remember and talk fondly of her fried chicken and delicious holiday meals. We’ll laugh about the time she ended up with two piles of mashed potatoes on her plate, the small, little Christmas tree she decorated with, her love of Elvis, concerts, car shows, the outdoors and shopping.

We are so thankful to have had Marva for a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.”

Marva is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dena and Mike Coale; her grandson, Justin Coale and his wife, Dana; her granddaughter, Shayla Gatzemeyer and her husband, Gavin; her sister, Kay Jarvis; Kathy and Les Cartwright, Haylee and Logan, Jared, Daryl and Dalton, along with cousins and friends from Everton High School who she maintained friendships with all these years.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove, Missouri with burial to follow at Ash Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Cedarhurst Activity Fund. Donations may be left at the funeral home.